The sky turns to orange and pink as it braces for sunset. Isra and Silva are still resting on the tree branch. Salv and Oro are standing in the grotto. Before Salv can think any further, he notices roots emerging from the ground and slithering towards him and Oro. One of the roots grabs a hold of Salv's right leg. More roots head for Oro, but he starts biting the roots and ripping them to shreds. Afterwards, he rips off the root that was wrapping around Salv.

Salv: (gently pats Oro) Thanks my canine friend, you are a lifesaver!

Oro: (wags his tail and yips)

More roots start to emerge and approach them.

Salv: The roots must be protecting this wood. (picks up oro) We must leave this place at once!

Salv carries Oro safely out of the grotto with the help of the wood's glowing light. The roots follow them out of the entrance. Salv places Oro on the ground and grabs a giant boulder.

Salv: This will do.

Salv closes the hole he made earlier and the roots are crushed beneath the boulder. Salv pulls out his copy of Irwin's journal from his bag and turns to the page dedicated to the sacred wood.

Salv: (yells) YESS! This has to be the real sacred wood, it is exactly how he described and sketched it. I knew that Irwin's journal was right!

Silva wakes up to Salv's screams of excitement.

Silva: (incomprehensible gibberish) Wuh…. What's happening?

Salv: (continues to shout) Silva if you can hear me, it's real! I collected the first of the five rare materials!

Silva: (yells down at Salv) I knew you'd find it someday. Didn't expect it to be so soon. Happy for ya buddy, keep at the grind!

Oro hears Silva's voice.

Oro: (yips)

Silva turns to Isra, who is still stiff and peaceful.

Silva: (whispers) Yo, Isra. Wake up bro we gotta move.

No response.

Silva: (slightly raises his voice) Isra I'm serious, man. We've had enough time to rest.

Once again, no response.

Silva: (annoyed and yelling) Wake up!

Isra wakes up in a hypnic jerk.

Isra: (rubs his eyes) What's up, why are ya yellin'?

Silva: Time to grant the owl the peace offering! It's nearly sunset.

Isra: Alright, alright. I'm up.

Silva and Isra climb the remaining half of the Sacred Tree until they reach the Great Nest. Ten of the Guardian Owls glare at the two trespassers. The Chief Owl is shown at a staggering 40 meters in height. It examines Isra and Silva. It signals for its guardians to attack. The Guardian Owls peck the strangers one by one. Silva and Isra move forward, ignoring the pain. The guys cross the halfway mark of the nest. Frustrated, the Guardian Owls line up in 2 groups of 5. The two groups leap into the air. Their wings flap in sync, creating large gusts of wind in an attempt to overpower Silva and Isra. They stand their ground. Each owl nosedives one by one to attack Isra and Silva. They still don't let that stop them from their mission. The two of them reach the Chief Owl with blood running down their faces.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Isra: Open your hands Silva.

Silva opens up his hands in front of the commanding creature. The Chief is standing in its throne stagnant. Guardians halt for a moment.

Silva: (nervously) Now what? Do I give it the branch?

Isra: (soft spoken) Yes, but carefully take out the peace offering.

Silva quietly rummages through his pocket and pulls out the olive branch of peace. The Chief makes its move. Its giant body inches close. The owl's head lunges toward Silva. Its finely honed beak points towards Silva.

Silva: (sweats) Are ya sure this is gonna work?

Isra: Yes, just trust me and extend your arm out slowly.

Silva: Okay…

Silva extends his arm out to the owl. The Chief's pupils dilate.

August 3, 1003

Faraway travelers from a war torn western country reach Instivale in search of a better life. They are led by their leader, a woman named Imara. Imara and the rest of the travelers approach the entrance of a village located in the northern region in what eventually becomes a part of the Rover Heights section of Northern Instivale. The moon shines bright in the night sky.

Imara: Hello, do you speak the Instivalen native tongue?

Village Hunter: Yeah. How the hell do ya know how to speak Instivalen? What is your intent?

Imara: Our ancestors were allies with your nation thousands of years ago, we all are bilingual. I assure you we are only seeking refuge here, we mean no harm and only wish to coexist peacefully.

Village Hunter: Resources are slim here. We can't afford to share with an entire nation. Ya have better chances returning to your land.

Imara: Trust me, our home is nearly destroyed, all we wish for is a place to stay for the night and we can be on our way to another part of the region.

Village Hunter: Look lady, I don't give a shit what ya problems are. None of y'all are getting close to any of our villages. Better to be safe than sorry for the women and children. Now piss off.

One of Imara's advisors clenches her fists and is about to go off on the awful man, but Imara grips the advisor's hand and shakes her head.

Imara: Then we will be on our way.

Village Hunter: Best not rear your ugly heads 'round these parts again! You people aren't welcome here in my country.

The western travelers leave in tears, completely distraught at the blatant racism and unwelcoming nature of where they landed in Instivale.

They travel farther east from the village until exhaustion.

August 4, 1003

They stop to rest at a giant woods that will later be known as Howling Woods. The children are starving and cry out for food. Their parents comfort them and they sleep until nightfall, as was their cultural lifestyle that didn't leave them even when they were thousands of miles from home. Imara wakes up to a distressed mother named Ana.

Imara: What is the matter, Ana?

Ana: (sobbing) My poor child. His fever won't let up.

Imara feels the baby's forehead. It is red hot. She hands the child to Ana's husband.

Imara: I'm so sorry my dear Ana. (hugs her) We will all do the best we can to find any ingredients to save your little boy.

Ana: (still sobbing) Thank you.

Imara and the others hike through the woods and find themselves in front of a ginormous tree. Shadowy figures exit the treetop and stand atop, ready to defend their home. Imara steps forward in front of the Chief Owl, (it is bigger than the others).

One of the Advisors: Be careful Imara, these creatures are most certainly dangerous.

She uses her inherited item necklace to soothe the worries of the Chief. She presents an olive tree branch as a symbol of peace with them. The Chief Owl signals for them to follow it. The travelers look frightened. One little girl is petrified and begins crying. Imara kneels down to comfort her.

Imara: Don't worry it will be okay. We are safe now.

Imara holds the little girl's hand and signals them to follow the owl. The travelers anxiously place their trust in their new feathered friends. That night, the owls offer them food and shelter for the daytime when both parties conveniently sleep. The next night, the western travelers and the owls search for berries and herbs after Imara shows Chief Ana's ill baby. They eventually find enough resources to support Ana and her family until the baby is fully healed. Days pass and the villagers realize that the owls aren't eating enough food as a result of their selfless actions. They hold a meeting and Imara tells them that they will leave that night to start their own home in the woods.

Imara: (pets the Chief Owl) We are going to leave to find a place nearby, but we cannot thank you enough. We are in your debt. Please accept the branch as a sign of our friendship. We will always be here to repay your kindness towards us.

The Chief Owl understands a bit of what she means and picks up the branch.

Chief Owl: (cheerfully squawks)

The owls dance as a send off to their friends. Years later, the villagers have built their own city and visit the owls from time to time.